My guess it rat or mouse poison through secondary poisoning. Drakes love to eat mice, and they don't care if they are dead. They just swallow them down. Female ducks usually do not eat rodents. I don't think it is the layer feed. It does not contain enough calcium to do damage, unless they...
Since when do you design a duck by picking their looks first. New breeds happen by accident or some freak genetic change. All the other traits have already been explored by others, and the new color/look pool has been exhausted. You should produce a new breed first, then breed it for several...
I see in one of the posts that the seller keeps them in breeding pens. It could be that they were all mingled together prior to putting into the breeding pens. A female duck can retain sperm for up to 2 weeks. Perhaps the breeder wasn't waiting long enough to assure that the sperm was out of...
They are not German or American Saxonies. I guess is they are a buff-saxony mix. I do see the Saxony traits and also see buff traits. They are mutts for sure. They are still nice birds, but you cannot sell their offsprings or the eggs as a true breed.
Ducks and Banny Hens writes:
I did have to feed my pekins. I handraised them, and when they were about 2 weeks old (which in pekins is equivelent to 1.5 months in other breeds) I began ranging them. Do I expect them to get a superior diet from ranging? Of course I do. Personally, I don't...
That from someone who let his ducks fend for themselves and does not feed them. Expecting them to get a good diet from free ranging. They are domestic ducks for a reason!
Birds have personalities just like humans, and some are just outright mean. You can also see it in dogs. You never know why or what set an animal off to such behavior. In your case you have already said what needs to be done. Pen him up or have him for dinner. Now you need to decide the...
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I'm glad I was able to reserve 20 of your ducklings for spring. Can't wait to breed those rare birds. Oh, btw the price is a bargain considering how rare they are.
Posting stories all over the net does not legitimate new breeds. They need to breed true for generations before you can claim a new breed over mutts. Strain variations are not new breeds. Any reputable breeder will invest into genetic verification, before they claim a new breed. Writing...
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LOL
There are standards for breeds, this does not mean that a breed can have heavier or lighter ducks. Many ducks pack on weight before winter, and loose it in spring. Overfeeding can also be an issue. Any fanny packs between the legs?
You breed them for 3 generations then you may be able to claim them as a breed. First level off springs cannot be mistaken for true breeding. Perhaps you need some genetic testing to proof that it is a new breed. Just putting out the claim and then charging a poop load for hatching eggs or...
I breed Saxonies, and I actually love the lighter colorings. Mine look very light right now, because they are out in the sun all day. At 4000 feet elevation the UV is very high bleaching them pretty good. This year I did order show quality ducklings from Holderread to better the breeding...